Nan Lassen’s practice at Willig, Williams & Davidson has focused exclusively on labor law since 1984. Nan has tirelessly advocated for unions—working men and women and their elected representatives—to advance their unions, wages, hours, terms and conditions of employment. Her wide-ranging skill and experience includes negotiating and enforcing collective bargaining agreements, complex litigation at every level of the state and federal courts, state and federal administrative agency proceedings, grievance and interest arbitrations, election and internal union matters, and occupational health and safety disputes. A born teacher, Nan has also spoken at countless conferences, meetings and educational forums for union officers, representatives and members. As a highly recognized union-side attorney with more than 35 years in practice, Nan has a reputation as a strong and effective advocate for labor organizations and workers in every sector of the workforce, including public employees (uniformed and non-uniformed), federal employees, private sector and industrial workers, longshore employees and the building trades. Nan’s strategic advice and collaboration are sought after and highly valued by union leadership and representatives.
Nan grew up in Detroit, in a community with strong ties to labor. Not only was she raised in a union family, but Nan herself has been a champion of working Americans all her life. Working in industry since age 15, including on a Chrysler assembly line, Nan developed a deep commitment to unions and especially worker safety and health. As a union representative, Nan was on the front line advocating for workers long before she went to law and graduate school.
Nan is also a sought-after speaker, educating union leaders, workers, law students and attorneys in matters such as internal union election law, employment discrimination, family medical leave, occupational safety and health, advocacy and representation skills, as well as the rights and responsibilities of labor unions and union members. She was previously an Adjunct Professor of Labor Law at Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, and currently guest lectures by invitation.
WHAT INSPIRES ME ABOUT MY WORK
“Working for unions naturally flows from my life history. My grandfather was a Steelworker on the iron ore docks. My father was a Teamster warehouseman, and my mother was a UAW member. I was a union advocate myself before I was even out of high school. So, bringing the tools of my education and experience to advocating for working people–from building trades and blue collar to professionals and technical—is my work, and a lifelong commitment.”
